Trade stimulator ?? Dave

[RameGoom]

This question would be directed to the expert. I have a Bell Boy by Mills, and your price guide shows a Bell Boy as a machine that has 3 reels with the bell-fruit-gum style of reels. Mine, however has numbers and has an apparatus at the top of the machine linked to the mechanism.

Apparently, there are two different styles of Bell Boy machines, one without the 3 digit apparatus and one (mine) with it.

How would I find out more info such as advertising of the original machine? Possibly the one I own has been upgraded - I don't know.

Thanks,
John

[Dave]

John:

I am not an expert at all when it comes to trade stimulators.

I think most machines that have numbers instead of Bell-Fruit-Gum were made for markets outside of the US.

What does the top appartus do?

Any chance you can show us a photo of the machine?

Dave

[Dave]

Another member of the forum sent me a note stating that the machine you are probably talking about is on page 154 of Gustwillers "For Amusement Only" book.

The book indicates this model is rarer and more valuable.

[RameGoom]

Bell Boy with numbers on wheels. The top three wheels are user-selectable. You select three numbers on the wheels and apply the numbers you selected to the chart printed on the front. Then you put a penny in, pull the lever and the three wheels spin and tell you your "answers" to the selected questions. Your fortune is spelled out...
Then you need to remember to push the lever on the lower left in order to get a gumball for all of your efforts. You must push the lever every time you insert a coin.

[RameGoom]

This is the chart that you use to choose your fortune by the top wheels.